Awning structure



June 25, 1963 w. H. JoBE AWNING STRUCTURE Filed Feb. 16. l1961 INV EN TOR. Z/alcwe HJ?) be,

United States Patent O 3,094,746 AWNING STRUCTURE Wallace H. lobe, 606 Woodview, Elk Grove Village, Ill. Filed Feb. 16, 1961, Ser. No. 89,858 13 Claims. (Cl. 2li-57.5)

This invention relates to `awning structures and in particular to awning structures such as for use on buildings.

Building openings, such .as window and door openings, are conventionally protected from the direct rays of sunlight and from impingement of precipitation by awning structures extending outwardly from the building wall at the top of such openings. The known awning structures for such use have several serious disadvantages. One such disadvantage is the entrapment of pockets of hot air thereunder, as during hot summer days, due to a lack of `suitable ventilation thereof. Further, the conventional awning structures are not adapted to protect the building opening effectively from all directions but often permit the precipitation and sunlight to impinge on the openings from directions other than directly outwardly from the building. Still another disadvantage of the known awning Structures is that they are relatively bulky and unwieldy and present serious storage and shipping problems. Still further, the known awning structures are not effectively adapted for return configurations as required for effective protection of corner windows. Yet another problem encountered in the use of the conventional awning structures is the lack of `adaptability thereof for :arrangement in continuous series to protect extended window arrangements.

The present invention comprehends ya new and improved awning structure which effectively avoids the above discussed disadvantages of the conventional known awning structures. Thus, a principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved awning structure.

Another feature of the invention is the provision of such an awning structure comprising a plurality of horizontally spaced, vertically extending slats effectively protecting a building opening against impingement of sunlight and precipitation while providing effectively free ventilation of the subjacent space.

A further feature of the invention is a provision of such an awning structure providing effectively maximum protection to the building openings.

Still another feature of the invention is a provision of such an awning structure which is extremely simple and economical of manufacture and which permits facilitated storage and shipping.

Still another feature of the invention is the provision of such an awning structure providing facilitated assembly and erection on a building selectively with or without ya superjacent building overhang.

A still further feature of the invention is the provision of such an .awning structure adapted for lfacilitated arrangement in a wide variety of configurations lfor effectively protecting substantially all conventional building opening arrangements.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE l is a front elevation of an awning structure embodying the invention installed on a portion of a building superjacent `a window opening thereof;

FIGURE 2 is a plan View thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical section thereof taken substantially along the line 3-3 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a plan of Ia modified form of awning structure embodying the invention; and

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged vertical section thereof taken substantially along the line 5-5 of FIGURE 4.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention as disclosed in FIGURES 1-3 in the drawings, al1-awning structure generally designated 10 is arranged for installation on a building wall 11 defining a window opening 12 subjacent an overhanging eave 13. The awning structure 10 comprises a plurality of support arms 14 and a plurality of slats 15 `arranged in a novel manner to provide an improved protection of the -building opening. Herein the slots have a height as best seen in FIGURE l, a lengthwise longitudinal extent as best seen in FIGURE 2, and a thickness ias best seen in FIGURE 2.

More specifically, as best seen in FIGURE 3, the support arms 14 comprise elongated members having an upper surface 16 and a plurality of parallel transverse slots 17 spaced longitudinally of the arrn 14 and opening through the surface 16. The `slots are arranged at an acute angle to the longitudinal centerline of the support arm to open angularly toward an upper end 18 of the support arm. Herein the slots 17 are uniformly spaced and have a width substantially equal to the thickness of the slats 15. As best seen in FIGURE 3, the depth of each slot 17 is slightly less than the height of the slats 15.

The arms 14 are arranged in an inclined disposition with the slots 17 `substantially vertical by means of a connecting element 19 at the upper end 18 of each arm. In the illustrative embodiment, the `connecting element 19 is shown to be integral with the arm 14, however iany suitable connection of the connecting element 19 to the associated arm 14 rnay be employed as is obvious to one skilled in the art. The connecting elements 19 extend substantially horizontally in engagement with the undersurface 20 of the overhang 13. In the illustrative embodiment the connecting elements 19 extend inwardly to the wall 11; however if desired, the connecting elements 19 may be terminated short of the wall 11 yand suitably secured to the overhang 13. As best seen in FIGURE 2, herein the connecting elements 19 converge at a common vertical line 21 adjacent the building wall 11 whereby each support `arm extends radially outwardly from the line 21. Resultingly, the slats 15 are -arranged in concentric 'semi-circles, 'as best seen in FIGURE 2, with the opposite ends 22 and 23 of the slats terminating in the vertical plane defined by the front surface of the wall 11 and including the vertical line 21. As the innermost slot 17a of each arm is spaced radi-ally from the line 21 by the length of the connecting element 19, a semi-circular area 24 is defined by the uppermost central portion of the awning structure. This area is covered by the overhang 13, in the arrangement of the awning structure shown in FIGURES 1-3; thus, light and precipitation are effectively precluded from passing downwardly therethrough. Where the awning structure is installed on a wall having no isuperjacent overhang, the area 24 may be covered by -a suitable panel such as panel 25 of awning structure 110 illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5.

Referring more specifically to FIGURE 4, awning structure is shown to comprise an awning structure generally similar to awning structure v10 but adapted for use without an overhang immediately thereabove and is arranged for extension around a corner 26 of the building wall 27. Thus, awning structure 110 includes a plurality of support arms 14 which, rather than extending radially from a common line, such as line 21 of awning structure 10, extend perpendicularly outwardly from the intersectf ing surfaces `of the wall 27 `defining the corner 26, being retained in this outwardly extending disposition by snitable brackets such as brackets 28. Thus, the slats 15 of awning structure 110 ido not extend fully semi-circularly Ibut rather define quarter-circle portions 29 and intermediate straight portions 30. The space within the innermost slat 15a is covered by the panel 25, which as best seen in FIGURE 4, comprises an L-shaped panel turning the corner 26. Thus, the invention comprehends the use of a suitable panel having a configuration corresponding to the space between the innermost slat and the building Wall Whatever the arrangement of the awning structure may be, where this space is not covered -by suitable building overhang.

The improved arrangement of awning structure 10 permits the construction thereof from a number of different suitable materials such as Wood, metals such as aluminum, or plastics. The slats may be formed in straight sections and bent to the desired configuration to t into the corresponding slots of the support arms, whereby the natural resiliency vof the slats and their lit in the slots of the arms assures a secured retention thereof without the use of securing devices such as screws, bolts or nails. Further, awning structure l permits the ready removal of the slats when desired as for cleaning or painting. Maintenance of the awning structure is further simplified by the effective minimizing of the number of support structures lrequired permitted `by the selfsupporting arrangement of the awning structure wherein the end portions 22 and 23 of the slats are secured in the arms 14 fixed to the building wall 11. By so retaining t-he end portions of the slats, improved resistance to wind forces is obtained.

The arrangement of awning structure lll with the innermost slat l@ .defining a horizontal area at the uppermost portion of the awning structure provides a number of highly desirable advantages. Thus, the awning structure is well adapted for use with easement windows which swing outwardly as the space subjacent area 2.4 is unobstructed. Further, Where the awning structure is used in conjunction with a window wall opening, the outer surface of the window is accessible to the top portion thereof, facilitating maintenance of the Window, such as Washing thereof. Still further, the unobstructed space below area 24 permits the awning structure lt) to be used in conjunction "with wall openings `defined by outwardly opening doors. As the awning structure is adapted for use with windows and doors, the same general structure may be utilized at substantially all conventional openings in the building wall providing a uniformity of appearance highly esthetically desirable.

Depending von the height ofthe wall opening to be pirotected, the length yof the arms 14 may be preselected to :arffcrd eliectiuely maximum protection with an effectively downward extension of .the awning structure. Illustratively, where windows of small height are to be proctected, the support arms 14 -rnay be relatively short and only .a small number of slats utilized. Where the wall opening has relatively substantial height, as in- =a door opening, the support arms may be relatively long to carry an increased number of slats. Thus, the supper-.t farms of the different awning structures may be arranged at a substantially uniform angle, such Aas 45, further providing a uniformity in appearance of a plurality of such awning structures provided on a building Wall.

As' the awning structure 10 defines a plurality lof vertically o-pen concentric spaces between the slats, diffused light may pass downwardly therethrough thereby .avoid-ing the oppressive, dark effect of the convention-al awning structures.

While I have sho-wn and described certain embodiments of my invention, it is -to be understood that itis capable of many modifications. Changes, therefore, in the construction and arrangement may be made without departing from the spirit and iscope of the invention 'as defined in the :appended claims.

l claim:

l. An Iawn-ing structure comprising: ,a plurality of elongate support arms each having an upper surface and a plurality of parallel, transverse slots spaced longitudinally of the farm and opening through said lupper surface and toward one end of the arm at an iacute angle to the longitudinal centerline thereof; a connecting element at said one end of each .arm securing the arms at an angle to the vertical between a pair of vertically spaced substantially horizontal planes with said slots vertical; und a plurality of resilient slats fitted in corresponding slots of said arms `and extending longitudinally arena-telly therebetween, ythe opposite ends of said slats terminating in la common plane substantially perpendicular to Ithe longitudinal extent of :said ends.

2. An awning structure: a plural-ity of elongate support arms each having an upper surface anda plurali-ty of parallel, transverse slots spaced longitudinally of the arm and opening through said upper surface tand toward one end of the arm at `an acute angle to the longitudinal centerllne thereof; -a connecting element aft said one end of each -anm for securing the yarms atan angle to the vertical between a pair of vertical-ly spaced substantially horizontal planes with said slots substantially vertical, said connecting elements extending said arms in different angularly related vertical planes; and Ia plurality of slats iitted in lcorresponding slots of said arms Iand extending longitudinally curvilinearly therebetween.

3. The .aw-ning structure of claim 2 wherein said slats are resiliently deformed longitudinally to it corresponding slots of said angulairly related arms whereby the bias force acts to retain the slots securely `in said slots.

4. The `awning structure of claim 2 wherein said arms retain said slats in a partially curvilinear and partially rectilinear configuration.

5. The awning structure `of `claim 2 wherein said slats have equal heights and :have lengths directly proportional to the spacing .thereof from the uppermost portion of the arms.

6. The :awning structure of claim 2 wherein said slots are of uniform depth and uniformly spaced.

7. An awning structure comprising: a plurality of elongate support arms each having an upper surface and a plurality of parallel, transverse slots spaced longitudinally of the arm and opening through said upper surface and toward one end of the arm at an acute `angle to the longitudinal centerline thereof; 1a connecting element at said one end 'of each )arm for securing the arms in an inclined disposition between a pair of spaced substantially horizontal planes with said slots substantially vertical, said connecting elements being arranged to extend said yarms in Vertical lplanes intersecting in a single vertical line; and a plurality of slats fitted longitudinally arcuately in corresponding slots of said arms, said slots extending longitudinally substantiially horizontally therebetween with the yheight extent of said slats substantially vertical.

8. The awning structune of claim 7 wherein said connecting elements extend from said line.

9. An awning structure comprising: a plurality of elongate support arms each having an upper surface and a plurality of parallel, transverse slots spaced longitudinally of the arm yand opening through said upper surface Iand toward one end of the arm at an acute angle to the longitudinal centerline thereof; a connecting element at said one end of each farm for securing the arms in an inclined disposition between a pair of spaced substantially horizontal planes with said slots substantially vertical; and a plurality of slats fitted in corresponding slots 4of said arms ,and extending longitudinally arcuately substantially horizontally therebetween with the lheight extent of said slats substantially vertical and the opposite ends of said slats terminating in a single vertical plane extending transversely to the ends.

l0. The awning structure of claim 9 wherein said slats `define semi-circles.

11. An awning structure comprising: a plurality of elongate support 'arms each having an `upper' surface and -a plurality of parallel, tnansverse slots spaced longitudinally of the amm and opening through said upper surface and toward one end of the arm at an acute angle to the longitudinal centerline thereof; a connecting element at said one end of each arm for securing the arms in an inclined disposition between a pair of -spaeed suhstantially horizontal planes with said slots substantially vertical; and 4a plurality yoi? slats itted in icorresponding slots off said #arms to 'extend substantially horizontally therebetween with ythe dat extent of said slats substantially vertical and fthe opposite ends of the slats terminating in intersecting ventical planes.

l2. An iawning struoture comprising: a plurality off elongate support 'arms each having an upper, generally horizontal poration and an angularly related portion having an upper surface and a plurality of parallel, transverse slots spaced longitudinally of said vangullarly related pontion and opening through said upper surface and toward one end of the yarrn at `an acute angle to the 1ongitudinal centerline thereof; a connecting element `at said one end of each arm for Isecuring the arms with said angularly related portion extending in an outwardly declined disposition between a pair of spaced substantially horizontal planes with sai-d slots substantially ventioal; a plumality of slats tted in corresponding slots of eaid arms to extend therebetween with the Hat extent of said slats substantially vertical, the innermost 'slat defining an inner area; and a substantial-1y horizontal panel covering said area.

113. The :awning structure of claim 12 wherein said area and panel are semi-circular.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,941,308 indahl Dec. 26, 1933 2,414,094 Covelle Ilan. 14, 1947 2,621,765 Wood Dec. 16, 1952 

1. AN AWNING STRUCTURE COMPRISING: A PLURALITY OF ELONGATE SUPPORT ARMS EACH HAVING AN UPPER SURFACE AND A PLURALITY OF PARALLEL, TRANSVERSE SLOTS SPACED LONGITUDINALLY OF THE ARM AND OPENING THROUGH SAID UPPER SURFACE AND TOWARD ONE END OF THE ARM AT AN ACUTE ANGLE TO THE LONGITUDINAL CENTERLINE THEREOF; A CONNECTING ELEMENT AT SAID ONE END OF EACH ARM SECURING THE ARMS AT AN ANGLE TO THE VERTICAL BETWEEN A PAIR OF VERTICALLY SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY HORIZONTAL PLANES WITH SAID SLOTS VERTICAL; AND A PLURALITY OF RESILIENT SLATS FITTED IN CORRESPONDING SLOTS OF SAID ARMS AND EXTENDING LONGITUDINALLY ARCUATELY THEREBETWEEN, THE OPPOSITE ENDS OF SAID SLATS TERMINATING IN A COMMON PLANE SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULAR TO THE LONGITUDINAL EXTENT OF SAID ENDS. 